Now, Master, I'll spread the sheet for you. _(They
spread the sheet on the bed_.)
MUSKERRY
Can you go down the stairs, Myles Gorman? I tried to get
down the stairs and my legs failed me.
GORMAN
One of the men will lead me down.
MUSKERRY
_(resting his hand on the bed and standing up)_ Sure one of
the men will lead me down the stairs, too.
_Myles Gorman spreads blanket on bed. He stands up, takes pipes,
and is ready to go out. Muskerry becomes more feeble. He puts
himself on the bed_.
MUSKERRY
Myles--Myles Gorman--come back.
GORMAN
What will I do for you, Master?
MUSKERRY
Say a prayer for me.
GORMAN
What prayer will I say, Master?
MUSKERRY
Say "God be good to Thomas Muskerry."
GORMAN
_(taking off his hat)_ "God be good to Thomas Muskerry, the
man who was good to the poor." Is that all, Master?
MUSKERRY
That's--that's all.
_Gorman goes to the door_.
GORMAN
In a little while you'll hear my pipes on the road.
_He goes out. There is the sound of heavy breathing from the bed.
Then silence. The old pauper with the staff enters. He is crossing
the ward when his attention is taken by the humming of the bees at
the window pane. He listens for a moment_.
THE OLD PAUPER
A bright day, and the clay on their faces. That's
what I saw. And we used to be coming from Mass and going to the
coursing match.
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